Cambridge Greek Testament Commentary

2 Corinthians 6:5

ἐν πληγαῖς, ἐν φυλακαῖς, ἐν�. Another field in which the ὑπομονή is manifested. These are the troubles which are inflicted on him by men. The πληγαί refer to scourgings or beatings from Jews or Romans 11:23-25; Acts 16:23. We know of only one imprisonment of the Apostle previous to this letter, viz. the one at Philippi; but evidently there had been others (2 Corinthians 11:23). He was expelled from Antioch in Pisidia, and was stoned at Lystra; and he may have been put in prison previous to these indignities. What might be called ἀκαταστασίαι (2 Corinthians 12:20; Luke 21:9; Proverbs 26:28) are frequent in Acts (Acts 13:50; Acts 14:5; Acts 14:19; Acts 16:19; Acts 16:22; Acts 17:5; Acts 18:12; Acts 19:23).

ἐν κόποις, ἐν�, ἐν νηστείαις. The third field in which ὑπομονή is exhibited;—the troubles which he laid upon himself as a necessary part of his work. By κόποι (2 Corinthians 11:23; 2 Corinthians 11:27; 1 Corinthians 15:28) is meant all that involves great toil and weariness; by ἀγρυπνίαι (2 Corinthians 11:27; often in Ecclus.) all that interferes with sleep. The two cover all his energy, working with his hands, travelling, teaching, praying, ‘anxiety about all the Churches.’ Usage (Luke 2:37; Acts 14:23; Acts 27:9) almost requires us to understand νηστεῖαι of voluntary abstinence, rather than of inability to obtain food. In 2 Corinthians 11:27 he distinguishes νηστεῖαι from hunger and thirst (1 Corinthians 4:11). We pass on from the fields in which ὑπομονή is manifested to characteristics which are coordinate with ὑπομονή: but ἐν must still be rendered ‘in,’ not ‘by.’

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Cambridge Greek Testament Commentary

2 Corinthians 6:5

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